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News

BMW Skytop and Speedtop finally in the same place

BMW has taken plenty of heat in recent years over its polarizing design language, but even its harshest critics are falling silent in the presence of its latest creations: the Skytop and Speedtop. These two bespoke beauties mark a rare moment of near-universal praise for the Bavarian automaker, combining stunning retro-modern aesthetics with the performance pedigree of the M8.

Now, for the first time, both models are showcased side-by-side under one roof at BMW Welt in Munich—an exhibition that feels as much like a celebration as it does a product display.

Built on a Solid Foundation

While the Skytop and Speedtop are dripping in bespoke flair, their underpinnings are rooted in familiar excellence. Both are based on the M8 chassis, benefitting from BMW’s flagship GT’s powertrain and handling prowess. But beyond the engineering, the design tells a different story. These aren’t just rebodied 8 Series variants—they’re bold reinterpretations of classic body styles: a targa-roof convertible in the Skytop, and a dramatic shooting brake in the Speedtop.

BMW Group Head of Design Adrian van Hooydonk recently shared images of the duo on Instagram, igniting excitement across the automotive world. The Skytop has already sold out, but there are still a few precious build slots remaining for the Speedtop. As for pricing? BMW remains tight-lipped, but reports suggest both models hover around the €500,000 mark.

Exclusivity Comes at a Cost

That price tag brings more than just exclusivity—it also demands a few compromises. Neither car features rear seats, a sacrifice in practicality that won’t deter their target audience: ultra-wealthy buyers willing to spend Rolls-Royce money on a BMW. Just 120 units will be built in total—70 Skytops and 50 Speedtops—ensuring their rarity from day one.

Production of the Speedtop isn’t scheduled to begin until late 2026. Due to the high cost of U.S. homologation, neither model will be officially sold stateside. However, they could still make their way across the Atlantic under “show and display” exemptions, similar to the ultra-rare 3.0 CSL.

Speaking of Legends

The Skytop and Speedtop may seem expensive, but they don’t top the list of BMW’s most extravagant offerings. That title goes to the limited-run 3.0 CSL—a modern homage to the original E9 “Batmobile”—which allegedly carried a €750,000 price tag. Limited to just 50 units and based on the M4 CSL, it holds the distinction of being the most powerful inline-six BMW ever built.

The future may hold more high-end surprises. Sylvia Neubauer, Vice President of Customer, Brand, and Sales at BMW M, confirmed to BMWBLOG that another special M project is in the pipeline.

Design With a Purpose?

The retro-infused design language of the Skytop and Speedtop could hint at a larger aesthetic shift for BMW. While it remains unclear whether these styling cues will influence mainstream models, the upcoming Neue Klasse design philosophy—previewed on prototypes like the iX3 and i3—suggests a turn toward smoother, more minimalist forms.

Gone, perhaps, will be the excessive creases and sharp lines that have defined recent BMWs. In their place: the flowing, elegant contours seen on these limited-run masterpieces. One can only hope that some of the Skytop and Speedtop’s artistry will trickle down to models that the average enthusiast might one day afford.

Source: BMW; Photo: adrian.van.hooydonk via Instragram

Future

BMW Ethos Concept Blends M1 Heritage with Hydrogen Hypercar Vision

BMW M has officially confirmed that a brand-new halo supercar is in development—one that could rekindle the spirit of the legendary M1 from the late 1970s. While the automaker has yet to release concrete specifications or imagery, the news has already ignited the imagination of automotive enthusiasts and independent designers alike. Among the most striking interpretations is the BMW Ethos, a visionary digital concept by Italian designer Sebastiano Ciarcia.

Though purely speculative, the Ethos is more than a fantasy. It’s an inspired fusion of BMW’s design DNA and forward-thinking innovation, crafted with the precision and flair that only a true automotive aesthete could deliver. Ciarcia’s Ethos channels the radical flair of Italdesign’s Nazca C2 from the 1990s, merges it with the futurism of the Vision M Next, and sprinkles in cues from the groundbreaking i8. In essence, it’s a spiritual successor that pays homage while looking decisively toward the future.

Visually, the Ethos is arresting. A dramatic, low-slung profile with a wide stance gives it immediate supercar presence. The glass canopy—akin to a fighter jet cockpit—offers panoramic visibility, while partially exposed rear wheels harken back to classic Italian exotics. The front fascia is a modern reinterpretation of BMW’s kidney grille, now body-colored and minimalist, accented by a subtle, off-center roundel. Ciarcia notes that this design touch nods to BMW legends of the 1950s, including the 503 and 507.

Integrated within the front intakes are sleek LED headlamps, whose placement and shape evoke Le Mans prototypes—particularly the Peugeot 9X8. The sculpted fenders protrude confidently from the bodywork, contributing to a muscular yet elegant aesthetic that Ciarcia describes as “a contrast of soft and hard volumes.”

The rear is no less dramatic. A slim, full-width LED light bar runs across the tail, above an active spoiler and aggressive rear diffuser, giving the Ethos both form and implied aerodynamic function. Yet it’s beneath the surface where the concept truly breaks with convention.

Rather than defaulting to an all-electric powertrain—a common trope in today’s concept world—Ciarcia envisions the Ethos as a hydrogen-powered hypercar. His imagined fuel-cell setup would deliver the high-performance thrills expected of a modern supercar, while embracing the promise of clean energy and alternative propulsion. It’s a forward-looking choice that reflects the broader industry’s quest for sustainability without sacrificing speed or soul.

To further sell the fantasy, the Ethos is rendered in an elegant Champagne finish and staged against the storied backdrop of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on the shores of Lake Como. It’s a fitting location, especially as BMW has used the venue in recent years to debut such exclusives as the Skytop (2024), Z4 Touring Coupe (2023), and this year’s Speedtop shooting brake.

When considering the Ethos’s hypothetical competition, Ciarcia envisions it squaring off with the likes of the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, Ferrari F80, Aston Martin Valhalla, and Mercedes-AMG’s upcoming all-electric supercar previewed by the Vision One-Eleven. It’s elite company, and the Ethos holds its own stylistically, at least in digital form.

Ciarcia, a graduate of IAAD and a designer with experience at Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Rimac, and Volvo, is no stranger to bold concepts. He previously gained recognition for his mid-engined reinterpretation of the iconic Lancia Delta. With the Ethos, he demonstrates once again that he’s among the most talented visionaries shaping the digital design landscape—while BMW’s own future supercar quietly looms on the horizon.

Source: Sebastiano Ciarcia via Instagram

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BMW Ethos Concept Blends M1 Heritage with Hydrogen Hypercar Vision
News

BMW M Prepares to Unleash a New Limited-Run Dream Machine

BMW M, the performance arm of the Bavarian marque, is cooking up something special. While details remain under tight wraps, the brand has officially confirmed that a new, limited-run model is in the works—one that will join BMW’s growing portfolio of “small series” collector-grade vehicles.

Think of it as the spiritual successor to the modern-day 3.0 CSL or a realization of bold concepts like the Skytop and Speedtop. This future model, although still shrouded in secrecy, has been green-lit and is actively moving through the development pipeline.

At the recent 24 Hours of Le Mans, Sylvia Neubauer, Vice President of Customer, Brand, and Sales at BMW M, shed some light on the project’s momentum. “We are discussing things, but we need to find the right time to do it,” she told BMW Blog. “Be assured, we share the same dream and passion. We have been talking with Adrian van Hooydonk [Head of BMW Group Design] and the team who does the small series planning, and there is a slot reserved for BMW M.”

This reserved slot hints at a product that may not be entirely ground-up but will almost certainly wear an exclusive badge. As with the M4-based 3.0 CSL unveiled in late 2022—limited to just 50 units and commanding a price tag north of €750,000 —the new model will likely be based on an existing platform. From a business standpoint, developing an all-new chassis or drivetrain solely for a short-run vehicle would be cost-prohibitive.

Still, the M division isn’t content with building garage queens. According to Neubauer, the goal isn’t just to appease collectors but to stir the souls of enthusiasts across a wider demographic. “I truly believe that we need a brand shaper which is more of a very limited one, the dream car, at a higher price point for very few collectors,” she said. “From there, probably also not a huge series of cars, but probably a small series in order to make more customers happy at a reasonable price point.”

As for the powertrain, speculation is already mounting. With the upcoming electric M3 on the horizon, the community is bracing for a major pivot in M’s performance philosophy. However, this particular special model could be one last hurrah for the internal combustion purist. Whether it arrives with a high-revving inline-six, a twin-turbo V8, or something altogether new, remains to be seen—but fans of analog driving are watching closely.

Whatever the final result, BMW M’s next small-series creation promises to be more than just a swan song. It will be a statement of intent—one that speaks to the brand’s storied past while looking toward an electrified, but still exhilarating, future.

Source: BMW